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Cambridge is a bibliophile’s dream. With so many old and famous libraries, knowing where to begin is difficult. The University of Cambridge has partnered with leading libraries in the city to build a community of readers and improve the education system. It is also known to incorporate some of the world’s oldest university libraries in Cambridge and is home to various collections of cultural treasures and research materials. Most of the libraries in Cambridge feature a physical collection of multiple books, maps, manuscripts, photographs and priceless objects spanning thousands of years of human thought and discovery.
This article lists the 10 best-known libraries in Cambridge with the highest ranking of readers who visit here from all over the globe!
Top Libraries in Cambridge
The University Library
- Location – West Road, Cambridge
- Visiting Days – Monday- Saturday
- Opening Hours – Monday- Friday- 09:00 – 19:00; Saturday- 09:00 – 17:00
- Fee – Free
Why Visit – The University Library at Cambridge is a vital academic hub for students and faculty from other institutions. Following UK law, Cambridge University Library is one of only six approved legal deposit libraries. The Library has roughly 9 million books and other materials, including maps and sheet music. The Library obtains another 100,000 books and other materials annually by lawful deposit, purchase, and donations. Unlike other legal deposit libraries, the University Library allows borrowers to borrow from its resources and keeps a substantial chunk of its holdings available through open access.
Wren Library, Trinity College
- Location – Garret Hostel Lane, Cambridge
- Visiting Days – Monday- Saturday
- Opening Hours – Monday- Friday- 12:00 – 14:00; Saturday- 10:30 – 12:30
- Fee – Free
Why Visit – Wren Library is credited with being one of the first libraries to be designed with huge windows to provide readers with comfortable light levels. The book stacks are organised in rows perpendicular to the walls beneath the window intervals. Gabriel Cibber’s statues of Divinity, Law, Physic (medicine), and Mathematics are on the east fence of the library’s roof.
Pepys Library, Magdalene College
- Location – Magdalene Street, Cambridge, England
- Visiting Days – Monday- Friday
- Opening Hours – Monday- Friday- 10:00 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 17:00
- Fee – Free
Why Visit – The Pepys Library, considered the crown gem of Magdalene College, is a unique example of a 17th-century private library. The Library is open to the public and visiting scholars, and it includes the original diaries of Samuel Pepys. It has one of the most important private collections of books, manuscripts, documents, and prints ever amassed.
Parker Library, Corpus Christi College
- Location – Trumpington St, Cambridge
- Visiting Days – Mon-Sun
- Opening Hours – Mon-Sun (open all hours)
- Fee – Free
Why Visit – Parker Library is world-renowned for its significant collection of mediaeval and Renaissance manuscripts and its unique holdings of early printed books. It is one of Europe’s most important remaining Renaissance libraries. The collection, founded mainly by Matthew Parker in the late sixteenth century, comprises several magnificent works, including the sixth-century St Augustine Gospels. Corpus Christi College also tries to make these artefacts available through a regular loan program to museums and libraries worldwide.
Katharine Stephen Room, Newnham College
- Location – Sidgwick Avenue, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
- Visiting Days – Monday- Sunday
- Opening Hours – Monday- Sunday- 06.30 – 13:45
- Fee – Free
Why Visit – The Katharine Stephen Rare Books Library, constructed between 1981 and 1982, is a well-preserved, early example of Postmodernism. This library is a repository for the college’s collection of rare books, manuscripts, and antiquities, totalling six thousand items.
A.G. Leventis Library
- Location – West Road, Cambridge
- Visiting Days – Monday- Saturday
- Opening Hours – Monday- Friday- 09:00 – 19:00; Saturday- 09:00 – 17:00
- Fee – Free
Why Visit – Like other famous libraries in Cambridge, the A.G. Leventis Library has an extensive collection of research materials to aid in the biodiversity conservation efforts of CCI partners. It has a more modest selection of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction centred on nature for leisure reading, including over 8,500 books, 120 current magazine titles, and 780 back issues.
Selwyn College Library
- Location – 20 Manor Court, Cambridge, England
- Visiting Days – Monday- Saturday
- Opening Hours – Monday- Saturday- 07:00-02:00
- Fee – Free
Why Visit – Selwyn College Library has approximately 35000 books and 100 seats or study areas. Selwyn’s Old Library houses the institution’s history, rare books, and special collections. The Selwyn College Libraries’ Essentials Guide can help newcomers to Selwyn get acquainted with the library’s facilities, resources, and services.
Central Science Library
- Location – 7 Lion Yard, Cambridge
- Visiting Days – Monday- Sunday
- Opening Hours – Monday- Tuesday- 09:30 – 18:00; Wednesday- 09:30 – 19:00; Thursday- Friday- 09:30 – 18:00; Saturday- 10:00 – 18:00; Sunday- 12:00 – 16:00
- Fee – Free
Why Visit – The Central Science Library is one of Cambridge’s most important academic libraries. The staff members are constantly working to keep current library holdings up to date, concentrating on compulsory readings for both undergraduate and graduate courses. The library welcomes you to explore and borrow its collection, use free computers and WI-FI, and utilise the area to study, socialise, share, or simply rest.
Colman Library
- Location – West Rd, Cambridge, England
- Visiting Days – Monday- Saturday
- Opening Hours – Monday- Friday- 09:00 – 19:00; Saturday- 09:00 – 17:00
- Fee – Free
Why Visit – Colman Library ranks to be one of the most prevalent libraries in Cambridge. All members and undergraduates enrolled in the Medical, Veterinary, or Natural Sciences Triposes are welcome to use the Coleman Library. Journals and serials make up the majority of the Colman Library’s offerings. The Colman Library’s core book collection includes broad, focused works in several important subject areas.
Forbes Mellon Library
- Location – Memorial Ct, Clare College, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
- Visiting Days – Monday- Sunday
- Opening Hours – Monday- Sunday- 08.00- midnight daily
- Fee – Free
Why Visit – Forbes Mellon Library is one of the leading libraries in Memorial Court, an integral part of Clare College’s College Library. Everyone at Clare College is welcome to access the library’s resources. About 30,000 books in the library cover various topics appropriate for undergraduates and more advanced readers. The Library Common Room has comfy chairs and a selection of light novels for anyone looking for a less serious atmosphere to get work done.While visiting this city of Glory, Libraries in Cambridge help all its readers to empower their strength of silence and reflective environment. While looking for the ideal ‘me-time’, Libraries in Cambridge lets all its library patrons get immersed in the zone of silent conversation with themselves. Finally, it’s important to admit that libraries in Cambridge are centres of learning beyond their book collections. Hence, it isn’t difficult to admit Cambridge has some of the most classic and design-wise rich Libraries. Once you’ve figured out which libraries in Cambridge are worth your time, you’ll have access to a wide variety of literature, from ancient texts to modern bestsellers.
